Shelf or rack for refrigerators, ovens, and the like



Q w. FRIEGEL 2,410,648

SHELF ORRACK FOR REFRIGERATORS, OVENS, AND THE LIKE Nov. 5, 1946.

Filed Aug. 4 1945 IN VEN TOR.

m E M T .A

Patented Nov. 5, 1946 SHELF OR RACK FOR REFRIGERATORS, OVENS, AND THE LIKE William Fricgel, Detroit, Mich., assignor to L. A. Young Spring and Wire Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application August 4, 1945, Serial No. 608,916

6 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in shelf or rack for refrigerators, ovens, and the like.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a shelf or rack having an ornamental front member attached or mounted to supporting portions in a manner that does not result in abrasion or injury that would be likely to result in rusting or injuring its appearance.

Second, to provide a structure of this character in which the means for attaching the front member are concealed.

Third, to provide a structure having these advantages which is economical in its parts and in the assembly thereof.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of a refrigerator shelf or rack embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section on a line corresponding to line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary inverted view.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the ornamental front or finish member.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view partially in section on line 5-5 of'Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in section on line 66 of Fig. 1.

In the manufacture of refrigerator shelves, it is desirable to provide the same with an ornamental front or finish member which adds to the appearance of the structure and also serves as a guard for the front ends of the side members of the frame and the grid bars. Stainless steel is favored material but when stainless steel is welded it results in rust spots, destroying the appearance of the structure and eventually may result in actual structural damage.

In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated my invention as embodied in a refrigerator rack or shelf but it will be understood that my invention may be readily adapted for ovens and cabinets.

In the accompanying drawing, the border frame comprises a rear member I and side members 2 formed integrally of rod stock. The forset ends 3 preferably by welding thereto as shown in Fig. 6. p

The grid bars Bare welded to the underside of the rear frame member l and to the lower arm of the front frame member 4.

The auxiliary front member 6 is formed as a sheet metal stamping and is desirably chrome plated or is of other material and finish to provide an ornamental front as well as a guard for the front end of the rack. This front member has a downwardly and forwardly projecting flange portion 1 which projects below the front ends of the side members 2 and the rack bars concealing and guarding the same.

The rear edge of the member 6 is turned downwardly and forwardly to provide an underlying flange 8' which is disposed within the channel of the front member 4, these parts being pressed into clamping engagement-that is, the flange B is clamped in the channel with the finish member firmly supported by the top of the frame member 4.

The bottom arm of the member 4 is upset at a plurality of longitudinally spaced points 9 into embedding engagement with the flange 8 of the member 6. This may be done by means of a prick punch. The auxiliary front finishing member is thus secured firmly to the supporting parts and constitutes a reinforcing member for the front member 4 so thatthat member may be made of comparatively light sheet metal. I have illustrated the same as being of substantially the same gauge as the member 6 but it may be even,

lighter if desired.

I have illustrated and described my invention in a, very practical embodiment thereof. I have not attempted to illustrate the various adaptations as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a shelf or rack, the combination of a border frame comprising integral rear and side members formed of rod stock, the side members being downwardly offset at their front ends, a front frame member of channel shape in cross section and having a lower arm and a rearwardly facing channel and lapped upon and fixedly secured to the downwardly offset front ends of said frame side members, grid members welded to the lower arm of said front frame member and to said rear frame member, and an auxiliary front member having a downwardly and forwardly projecting front edge and a down-turned forwardly projecting flange at its rear edge engaged in the channel of said front frame member and closely embraced thereby, the lower arm of said front frame member being upset at a plurality of longitudinally spaced points into indenting engagement with the flange of said auxiliary front memberfth top of said auxiliaryifr'ont' member being substantially flush with the tops of said frame side members.

.2. In a shelf or rack, the combinationofaborder frame comprising integral rear andside members formed of rod stock, a front frame member of channel shape in cross.sectionendhavinga lower arm and a rearwardlylfacingchannelhand fixedly secured to the front ends of saidffranie side members, grid members sec ured to the under side of said front frame member and'to said rear frame member, and an auxiliary front,member having a downturned forwardly projecting flange fat. its rrearoedge engagedinthe channel ,of, said front frame member and closely embracedthere- .by,,the.lower arm .of. said front frame member being upset atvai p ur li y 0 9n8i 1ld n: r PT Q points into indenting engagementwith theflange .of said auxiliary front member.

;3;;In a Shel-for rack the combinationpf a bonder frame ,comprising ,side members, at front frame memberuof channel shape in cross section andhavinga lower armiand a re r a ly e channel and having: its;lower arm Welded; to. the

frontuends of .saidside members, grid members welded to the lower armof said front frame member, and a front. .trim, memberv having a depending portion concealing;said-front frame member and. a forwardly projectin concealed flange at its-rear ,edge engaged in the channel of, said vfrontifranie member, the lower arm ofsaicl front 'framermember .being ,upset, at a plurality .of Ionlgitudinally; spaced." points. into i indenting engage- I ment with the flange of said front trim member.

4. In a shelf or rack, the combination of a border frame comprising side members, a front frame member of channel shape in cross section and having a lower arm and a rearwardly facing channel and having its lower arm welded to the front ends of said side members, gr id members .welded to the lower arm of, said front frame memher, and a front trim member having a depending portion concealing said front frame member and "a forwardly projecting concealed flange at Litsrear. edge engaged in the channel of said front her being upset at a plurality of longitudinally p e t n dent n nsaeem twith t flange ofsaidfront' trim member.

n. sh ,r ,-th eembina ie pf a border frame comprising side members, a front frame member of channel shape i n cross section and having a lower armand a-rearwardly facing channel and having-its lower arm f xedly secured to the front ends of said sidemernbers; grid rnemhers fixedly secured to thelower arm of saidfront rame memb an a; r nt to mrme be hav n a portion concealing the front and/top of, said front frame member and having its rearedge engaged in the channel of said front frame member,

FRIEQEL 

